The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-06-11
PLUCK.
Story of a Brave Boy Who Refused to
Give Up.

Story of Brave Boy Who Refused to
Give Up.
Pluck was the son of a poor Bulga-
rian shepherd-not an American boy
as one would imagine from his name.
/ called him Pluck because it was so
characteristic of the boy, and because
l could not recall the Bulgarian name
DR.. Hamlin gave me. A little hut in
Bulgaria made of mud and stones was
Pluck's home; and his father was so
poor that he could hardly get food
enough for his large family. Their
clothes cost little, as they all wore
sheep-skins, made up with the wool
outside. Just imagine how funny
flock of two-legged sheep would look.
Pluck was a bright, ambitious boy,
with great desire for study. And
when he heard of Robert College at
Constantinople, he determined to 60
there. SO he told his father one day,
when they were away together tending
sheep, that he had decided to go to
college. The poor shepherd looked at
his son in amazement, and said:
you can't go to college; it's all l
can do to feed you children; l can't
give you a piaste." ~
Fl don't want a piastre," Pluck re-
piled; "but L do want to go to col
lege."
Besides" the shepherd continued,
"you can't 60 to college in sheep
skins SIS sesf-.s..s.. itures
But Pluck had made up his mind,
and he went-in sheep-skins and with
out piastre. 1t was weary march
of one hundred and fifty miles to Con-
stantinople, but the boy was willing to
do any thing for an education. He
found kind friends all along the way,
who gave him food and shelter at
night. So Pluck trudged sturdily on
day after day until he reached Con-
stantinople. As he was not one to let
the grass grow under his feet, he soon
found his way to the college, went into
the kitchen and inquired for the presi-
dent.
Pluck asked for work; but the presi-
dent kindly told him there was none,
and that he must go away. ooh, no"
Pluck said, 81 can't do that. [ didn't
come here to 90 away" When the
president insisted, Pluck's answer was
the same: l didn't come here to go
away"
He had no idea Of giving up. 1.-THE
King of France, with forty thousand
men went up hill, and so came down
again." but it was no part of Plucks
plan to go marching home again. And
three hours later the president saw
him in the yard patiently waiting
Some of the students advised Pluck
to see Prof. Long HE knows all
about you Bulgarian fellows" The
professor, like the president, said
there was no work for him and he had
better 90 away. But Pluck bravely
stuck to his text; Il didn't come here
to go away"
The boys courage and perseverance
pleased the professor so Wuch that he
urged the president to give Pluck a
trial. So it was decided that he should
take care of the fires. That meant
carrying wood, and great deal of it,
up three or four flights of stairs; tax
ing away the ashes, and keeping all the
things neat and in order.
The president thought he would
soon get tired of such hard work. But
. a boy who had walked a hundred and
fifty miles for the sake of an education,
= and was not ashamed to 60 to college
e in sheep-skins and without piastre,
2 would not easily be discouraged.
D After a few days, as Pluck showed no
signs of weakening" the president
: went to him and said; my poor boy,
YOU can not stay here this winter. This
- room is not comfortable, and have nc
other TO give you"
+, "Oh. I'm perfectly satisfied" Pluck
? replied. Its the best room l ever
t had in my life. didn't come here tC
P go away"
Evidently there was no getting rid Of
: Pluck, and he was allowed to stay.
5 After he gained his point he settled
down to business and asked some o